Women in the Mission of the Church: Their Opportunities and Obstacles Throughout Christian History - Paperback

by Leanne M. Dzubinski (Author), Anneke H. Stasson (Author)

Outreach 2022 Resource of the Year (Theology and Biblical Studies)

2021 ASM (American Society of Missiology) Book of the Year Award

Women have been central to the work of Christian ministry from the time of Jesus to the twenty-first century. Yet the story of Christianity is too often told as a story of men. This accessibly written book tells the story of women throughout church history, demonstrating their integral participation in the church's mission. It highlights the legacies of a wide variety of women, showing how they have overcome obstacles to their ministries and have transformed cultural constraints to spread the gospel and build the church.

Back Jacket

Women in the Mission of the Church demonstrates the integral participation of women in the church's mission from the first century to the twentieth century.

"For two millennia the stories Christians have told about God's work through humankind have been remarkably truncated--focusing almost exclusively on men to the detriment of the entire story of God's redemptive work. Women, too, have played--and continue to play--just as important a role as men in the overarching story line, and it is long past time that we correct our perspective. Women in the Mission of the Church is one of the more significant works over the past few decades that begins to address this gap. My hope is that this book will continue igniting the correction of our story line so that it appropriately reflects the fact that women have been just as remarkably engaged in all facets of God's mission as men have. As a man, I deeply appreciate how Women in the Mission of the Church has enriched my understanding of and appreciation for women's active and engaging participation in God's mission over the two millennia since Christ died for all humankind."
--Scott Moreau, Wheaton College Graduate School

"A wonderfully engaging, accessible, and inspiring collection of stories of women's leadership in mission that highlights how women have lived out their abilities, gifts, and callings in the church. Even when constrained by male-dominated church authorities throughout history, women have consistently challenged not only those who would restrain them but the reigning gender-based ideologies that governed them, and they have done so through their persistent and fruitful ministries and their faithfulness to God and God's calling. This is a book that should be on every Christian's bookshelf!"
--Bonnie Sue Lewis, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (emerita)

"A wide-angle portrait of a beautiful history of women in the Christian church through the ages! This story praises the accomplishments of Christian women as mystics and mothers, monastics and missionaries, and much more. This book is also a clear-eyed examination of the obstacles women have faced in the church that will give readers today--both women and men--encouragement to face obstacles in ministry with tenacity and grace."
--Benjamin L. Hartley, Seattle Pacific University; chairperson, American Society of Missiology Board of Publications

Author Biography

Leanne M. Dzubinski (PhD, University of Georgia) is associate dean, associate professor of intercultural education and studies, and director of the intercultural education graduate program at Biola University in La Mirada, California.

Anneke H. Stasson (PhD, Boston University) is associate professor of humanities and history at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.